Interferons in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas

Cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of rare lymphoproliferative disorders. In most cases, they are characterized by the accumulation of clonal lymphocytes in the skin. Extracutaneous involvement is present in late stages only. Unfortunately, only few drugs are registered for these disfiguring diseases. Skin directed therapies using topical formulations are the preferred first line modalities. Interferon alpha and Interferon gamma are successfully used as monotherapy or as important substances in combination therapies for cutaneous t-cell lymphomas. An intralesional therapy with Interferon alpha is very successful in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas, especially marginal zone lymphomas. Recent approaches using gene therapy resulting in local expression of Interferon gamma have resulted in the regression of injected and non-injected lymphoma manifestations in cutaneous lymphoma patients.